Tax Agent, Returns and Compliance New Zealand
Aurora Financials is the trusted tax agent for New Zealand businesses, charities, and trusts, providing accurate income tax returns, GST filing, and ongoing tax compliance support. Led by Jonathan Maharaj FCPA, our remote team ensures your filings stay on schedule and your tax obligations remain clear and manageable throughout the year.
What does a tax agent do in New Zealand?
A tax agent is registered with Inland Revenue to prepare and file tax returns on behalf of clients, and can access extensions of time that individuals filing on their own do not get. A tax accountant NZ businesses use as their tax agent typically handles income tax returns, GST returns and ongoing compliance, keeping filing accurate and on schedule throughout the year.
Aurora Financials provides tax compliance NZ businesses can rely on, covering general tax compliance and return preparation, including GST and income tax returns and IRD filing. As a tax agent New Zealand wide, we do not offer specialist tax advisory, and for complex tax matters such as structuring, disputes or international tax, we recommend engaging a specialist adviser alongside our compliance work.
Tax returns and compliance, handled on time
As your registered tax agent, we manage the recurring filing obligations that keep your business compliant with Inland Revenue, so nothing is missed and nothing is left to the last minute.
Income Tax Returns
Income tax return NZ preparation and filing for companies, trusts and individuals, including IR3 and IR4 returns, lodged accurately and on time.
Business and Company Tax Returns
Business tax return and company tax return preparation, with your numbers reconciled and ready well ahead of the filing deadline.
GST Returns
GST tax return preparation and filing on your monthly, two monthly or six monthly cycle, reconciled against your Xero accounts.
Provisional Tax
Provisional tax instalments calculated and filed against your correct method, so you avoid late payment penalties and use of money interest.
FBT Returns
Fringe benefit tax returns prepared and filed on your quarterly or annual cycle, covering vehicles, benefits and other taxable items.
Tax Ready Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping kept current throughout the year, so your tax returns are built on clean, reconciled numbers rather than a year end scramble.
Key tax filing dates NZ businesses need to know
Tax filing dates NZ wide are set by Inland Revenue and generally follow the standard 31 March balance date used by most New Zealand businesses. The dates below apply to a standard balance date and the standard provisional tax method.
| Obligation | Typical due date |
|---|---|
| Income tax return (no tax agent) | 7 July |
| Income tax return (with a tax agent, extension of time) | 31 March the following year |
| Terminal tax (no tax agent) | 7 February |
| Terminal tax (with a tax agent) | 7 April |
| Provisional tax, standard method, instalment 1 | 28 August |
| Provisional tax, standard method, instalment 2 | 15 January |
| Provisional tax, standard method, instalment 3 | 7 May |
| GST returns | 28th of the month following the GST period |
| FBT, quarterly filers | 20 April, 20 July, 20 October, 20 January |
Source: Inland Revenue key dates, based on a standard 31 March balance date. If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, it moves to the next working day. Dates vary for non-standard balance dates, GST filing frequency and provisional tax method. This is general information only, not tax advice, and we recommend confirming the exact dates that apply to your entity with us directly.
What is provisional tax?
Provisional tax is a way of paying income tax in instalments during the year, rather than as one lump sum after your return is filed. If your residual income tax from your previous return was more than $5,000, Inland Revenue generally requires you to pay provisional tax for the following year.
Provisional tax applies to companies, individuals, trusts and estates, not just businesses, and commonly catches self employed people, landlords and investors by surprise in their first profitable year. Getting your provisional tax method and instalments right matters, since the business tax rate NZ companies pay is a flat 28% on net profit, and missing instalments can trigger use of money interest and late payment penalties on top of what is already owed.
A tax agent who keeps your filing accurate and on time
Aurora Financials is an award winning, remote first New Zealand firm founded by Jonathan Maharaj FCPA, with more than 20 years in New Zealand audit, accounting and compliance. As a member firm of PrimeGlobal and a Xero Global Partner, our tax compliance work is backed by the same standards as our audit and accounting services.
Our advice is independent and free of conflicts. We are funded only by professional fees from clients, never by product commissions or third parties.
A tax accountant near me, without the geography
Our fully remote model means your tax returns are prepared by the same dedicated team wherever your business is based, with documents shared securely online instead of dropped off at a local office.
If you have been searching for a tax accountant near me or a tax agent near me, a remote firm widens your options well beyond your local area while keeping every deadline on track.
- Income tax, GST and provisional tax filing, handled on schedule
- Business and company tax returns for companies, trusts and individuals
- One connected team across tax, bookkeeping and Xero
- Transparent fixed fees and no minimum client requirement
- No charge for your initial consultation
Getting started with our tax agent services
Free consultation
We start with a no obligation conversation about your entity, your current filing status and any upcoming deadlines. There is no charge for this.
Linking and fixed fee proposal
We link as your registered tax agent with Inland Revenue and provide a clear, fixed fee proposal covering your ongoing filing needs.
Ongoing filing and compliance
We prepare and file your returns on schedule, with reminders and a direct line whenever you have a question about an upcoming deadline.
Tax agent NZ: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tax agent and an accountant?
A tax agent is specifically registered with Inland Revenue to prepare and file tax returns on behalf of clients, often with access to extended filing deadlines. Most accountants who handle tax compliance are also registered tax agents, so in practice the two roles usually overlap.
What is provisional tax?
Provisional tax is a way of paying income tax in instalments during the year rather than as one lump sum after filing. It generally applies if your residual income tax from the previous year was more than $5,000, and applies to companies, individuals, trusts and estates.
What are the provisional tax dates in New Zealand?
For a standard 31 March balance date using the standard method, provisional tax is typically due in three instalments on 28 August, 15 January and 7 May. Dates differ for non-standard balance dates or other provisional tax methods, and we recommend confirming your exact dates with us.
What is the company tax rate NZ wide?
New Zealand companies pay a flat company tax rate of 28% on net profit. This is general information only, not tax advice, and rates can change, so we recommend confirming current rates with us before relying on them for planning.
When is terminal tax due?
Terminal tax is typically due on 7 February if you do not have a tax agent, or 7 April if you are linked to a tax agent with an extension of time. If the due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, it moves to the next working day.
Do you offer tax planning or tax advisory services?
We provide general tax compliance and return preparation, including income tax, GST and FBT returns. We do not offer specialist tax advisory or tax planning, and for complex matters such as structuring or disputes, we recommend engaging a specialist tax adviser alongside our compliance work.
Can a tax agent work with my business remotely?
Yes. Aurora Financials is a remote first firm, and our tax agent services are delivered through Xero, secure document sharing and video meetings. You receive the same dedicated team wherever your business is based in New Zealand.
The content on aurorafinancials.com is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or professional advice. Aurora Financials accepts no liability for decisions made based solely on the content of this website.
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Jonathan Maharaj FCPA
Founder & Director · Aurora Financials
